Deceptive Evil

Barnaby the Evil Feline tries to look irresistable while he drops his white hairs down our plumbingThis is Barnaby the Evil Feline (Stepson's cat). As with the most evil things in our world, he looks rather attractive and sweet, but then he destroys and terrorizes.

The "destroys" part? He gets in the big potted plant in our bedroom and throws dirt out and around on the cream-colored carpet. He leaves long white hairs everywhere but especially on chairs, causing me to Grrrr and spit invectives as I'm in a hurry to get out the door and have to stop to "roller" my black pants, skirt or coat. And he destroys the peace by meowing incessantly at times, an annoying little high-pitched whiny meow. He could make even the most saintly soul want to whap him.

The "terrorizes" part? My sweet little Moca (who does not drop hairs, fling dirt or meow annoyingly, should you care to make note of it) can be sitting on a chair minding her own business, and Barnaby comes snarking about, creeping toward her and then lunging in full attack mode. She flees in terror and he thunders after her. This is a daily occurrence, ending up with sweet Moca treed atop the bathroom cabinets or spitting and growling from the back of one of our recliner chairs.

We've taken to two defense mechanisms: either have the squirt bottle nearby to help us point out to Barnaby that his stalking habits are criminal, or shut him or Moca up in a bedroom. I'm not fond of isolating MY cat because of this bully's behavior.

This all may sound funny, but I'll be frank: I don't like Barnaby, not a bit. When it comes to a living organism being worth more than the bother it causes (I've seen some colleagues apply this test to bothersome employees, as well), Barnaby does not make the cut. His cuteness doesn't render his other behaviors worth enduring. He doesn't wear well. But we seem to be stuck with him for the time being.

That, I think, is also how it works all too often with Evil.

Barnaby in his pseudo-intelligent pose while he leaves a million white hairs on my black grand piano.